The beginning (hopefully) of a new tradition

So I realized that I watch a great deal of movies. I really enjoy watching films but I have recently thought about how I hardly retain much about the stories I am exposed to and thus I am not gleaning all I can from my viewing experiences.

That being said, I think it is time I start writing small reviews for every film I watch. This will keep me accountable for my watching, and will also help me think a little harder about what I saw and what was being presented.

Last night I watched American Graffiti. This was one of George Lucas' first films ever to go to the theaters. Copolla, who later created the influential and industry changing Godfather franchise produced this film. It takes place in the early 1960's and the 2 hour film only covers one night in the lives of some growing teenagers. The film seems to be discussing the time in one's life when childhood has slipped away and the many crossroads that present themselves at that crucial time. Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford are pretty young in this film - and somewhat youthful I guess. I could see the point that was being accented but I felt overexposed to the culture at the time in that I felt more like it was a home video of the night life of the youthe. It had subtle feelings akin to "the outsiders" but not at all as dramatic. I don't think it had to be, it worked for what it was. However, this wasn't an entertaining film. It is an important one though and I did see myself in some of the characters as they contemplated leaving the town and moving on. This is a universal situation and so I think the story can strike a chord within anyone who is willing to look for it amongst the constant shrieks of Beach Boy music.

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Hinckley's Two Month Update

I can't believe it has only been two months since Hinckley joined our family! It feels like a lot longer than that and he is growing so big way too fast! At his two month check-up today, he weighed 13 lb 12 oz and was 26 1/4 inches long. Apparently he is so tall that he is off the medical charts for his age. Hinckley is such a happy, easy-going baby. He smiles, laughs, and coos a lot. Having him in our family is so fun because he helps us realize the joy of everything once again. He smiles at bright colors or new sounds, enjoys kisses and cuddling, and squeals in delight at seeing nature when we take walks. Yesterday at church it was like he had a rubber neck; for about five minutes he just kept turning back and forth to take it all in--the sights, sounds, and smells. Today he had to get three shots at the doctor's office and even that didn't phase him for long. Oh he screamed and his face got redder than I have ever seen it. I held him and fed him afterwards and then ...

So begins our stay in DC

I will try to keep a fairly good record of our exploits and adventures here in the Nation's capital. It is exciting and I am particularly happy about the amazing opportunities there are for pictures! Our trip began at the bus stop outside of the Barlow Center. I took an exterior shot of the Center - the top 2.5 windows on the right are ours. Once on the bus we went past some of the "Occupy" folk which was interesting. And then we came to our stop just outside of Union Station (where I will also be getting off to work at the FJC). Our first grand site was the Capital. So here we are. Washington DC is very different for both Kass and I, but we are finding a way to call it home as quickly as we can. Our first full day in DC consisted of going to Safeway on the bus, eating a modest lunch, and then going to the the Mall for the second time. We began at the capital building and headed towards the Lincoln Memorial (2 miles) before walking home another 2 miles or so. Our first st...

Dishes

It is that time of day when the house is quiet, the table is half covered in pots, pans, and tuber ware with food scattered across. The car isn’t in the garage and the dog lies sleeping on the blue blanket. The sun lies somewhere back there, behind the cloud over those mountains. It makes some nice gold colors on the rocky face of the mountains outside of the window. I guess it is so nice because at this time of year there is a lot of plants and flowers in the back yard so the gold makes it seem sort of dreamlike. Yeah, I’ll do em I guess. Call it being nice or being bored. Does it matter? Approaching the sink I am nipped by the denting smell. The eggshells, scraps of mango, carrot peel, and chunks of tofu drip in my fingers. Oh yes, the trash is under the sink these days. Drip once, drip twice on the floor. The water in the frying pan trembles, shaking the crusty flakes of burnt egg. Yogurt and peanu...

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